There is nobody in college basketball like Dickie V. Whether you love his exuberant enthusiasm, or think it’s too much is immaterial — because he is part of the fabric of the game. On Tuesday night ESPN hosted the “Dickie V Invitational” between Texas and Duke, preceding the game with a video narrated by Coach K which was nothing short of spectacular.
Mike Krzyzewski, the legendary Duke coach, went through Vitale’s life in basketball and beyond it, chronicling his work as a coach, broadcaster, and philanthropist who is “the only man to be loved at both ends of tobacco road,” as K states. It was a beautiful tribute to a man whose voice had shaped college basketball broadcasting for over 40 years.
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Dickie V was fighting back tears when the camera cut back to Charlotte for the game, overwhelmed with emotion from seeing the video package narrated by K.
“I’m … I’m just in awe of all the love everybody has given me out here. It’s just unbelievable. Coach K, his words bring me to tears — Jay, you played for the man, and I’ve certainly loved to admire him so much. I think he’s the greatest coach ever in college basketball. I know John Wooden, winning 10 national titles, deserving some incredible honors, but when you factor in that he doubled his win total, what he did internationally — I think that Coach K is unreal, and the greatest ever to coach college basketball. I really do.”
Vitale went on to say what an honor it was to have an event names after him, and how surprised he was to get that honor. He then went on to help on the call, adding the color, wit, and charm we’ve come to love over his four decades at the desk.
Thank you Dickie V for everything. An icon of not just college basketball, but sports broadcasting in general. Take all your flowers, because you’ve earned them.
